Good morning –

We have some election results for you, as well as readers’ responses to yesterday’s One Click Survey about “#Texit.”

Here is the Minute for Texas Independence Day, Wednesday, March 2, 2022.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan 

Abbott Secures GOP Nomination For Governor

• Gov. Greg Abbott’s path to the Republican nomination was significantly different compared to years past. For the first time since announcing his candidacy for governor in 2013, he faced serious opposition from his own party yet won last night with more than 65 percent of the vote. Brandon Waltens has the details.

      

• Still, the threat of potentially losing the Republican nomination forced Abbott to contend with criticism from the right by taking actions and positions he had previously avoided. These included executive orders seeking to end mask and vaccine mandates, directing the Department of Family Protective Services to investigate child gender modification procedures as child abuse, and a focus on the southern border in the form of Operation Lone Star.
      

• Gov. Abbott will face former congressman turned failed senatorial candidate turned failed presidential candidate Robert Francis “Beto” O’Rourke in the general election on November 8.

Patrick, Hegar, and Miller Post Big Wins

• Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Comptroller Glenn Hegar were both on track last night to significantly outperform the governor in winning their respective contested GOP races. Patrick won with more than 75 percent of the vote, and Hegar surpassed the 80 percent mark.
      
• Likewise, Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller posted a win over his two challengers, securing the GOP nomination with close to 60 percent of the vote. Katy Drollinger has that story.

Other Statewides Headed For May 24th Runoffs

• Attorney General Ken Paxton is headed to a runoff for the Republican nomination, most likely with George P. Bush. If the numbers through the night continue to hold, former Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman came in third, followed by outgoing U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert. Get more info from Erin Anderson.
     
• The race for the Commissioner of the General Land Office appears headed for a runoff, with Dawn Buckingham facing Tim Westley. Jacob Asmussen has the story.
      
• While the votes are still being counted, Railroad Commissioner Wayne Christian looks to be set for a runoff with either Sarah Stogner or Tom Slocum. 

Democrats Won’t Win In 2022

• Democrats only had half the Texas primary turnout as Republicans. Democrats haven’t held a statewide office in a generation. Democrats won’t win a statewide office in 2022.
     

• And, yet, your Republican legislators insist on appointing Democrats to chair committees in the Texas Legislature.

Congressional & Legislative Coverage

• Throughout the day today at TexasScorecard.com the team will be unpacking the results of specific congressional and legislative races.
   
• For example, the self-described socialist on the Austin City Council – Greg Casar – will be the Democrat nominee for the open 35th Congressional District. Jacob Asmussen breaks down what his candidacy means.

• PROGRAMMING NOTE: Brandon Waltens and I will be on YouTube Live and Facebook Live at 9:30 a.m. from the 1836 Studios for an expanded discussion of the election results.

Trouble At The Border

• A review of “Serious Incident Reports” released to Texas Scorecard as part of an ongoing investigation bolster the charges made regarding the readiness and morale of soldiers deployed in Operation Lone Star. Robert Montoya has the details.
   
• The SIRs contain criminal complaints, reports of substance abuse, and mental health episodes. Some reveal a lack of self-control among soldiers, while others appear to validate reported strains between OLS soldiers, law enforcement, and Border Patrol.

Celebrate the Spirit of 1836!

Y’All Answered!

We asked if readers thought Texas should again become an independent republic.

There were four choices: “Absolutely” (52.9%), “Yes, but with conditions” (17.7%), “No, but maybe” (20.4%), and “No way” (8.9%). 

• “Texas is certainly the greatest State in the United States, but we are Americans as well as Texans. I'm disappointed that the federal government has completely lost fiscal control, and while I feel sorely disappointed in the policies of the Biden administration, I remain an American and deeply love the philosophy, majestic beauty, creativity, and people of the United States of America. Texas and Texans must lead America to restored greatness.” – Eric Yollick
      
• “We need a divorce from this bad marriage!!   MAKE TEXAS A COUNTRY AGAIN!” – Mary Matthews
     
• “Yes, I would like to see Texas as an independent republic.  However, the performance of our representatives in Austin (not to mention the permanent agencies, departments, etc.) does not lead me to hope for a better run government; rather simply less mouths for our tax dollars to feed.” – Ray Mathis
   
• “Texas has been American since day one, with mostly American settlers. But if the federal government keeps ignoring the Constitution and doing whatever it wants, I think it might be safer to leave. But I see that as a last resort.” – Brian McCarthy
      
• “On Texas independence, we are stuck in a poisonous, cancerous, cheating, toxic marriage with a corrupt and irredeemable spouse (US Govt).  One that cannot be reformed and that only gets worse every year.  There ought to be a way to have an amicable divorce.” – Scott Britton
    
• “We should try and stay and lead the best we can, giving strength and standing strong! But removal from the union is always an option, but not the best one.” – Doug Freeman
   
• “Why should Texas be mandated by liberals and socialists to murder babies, teach racism and perversion in our schools, limit oil production, and live with open borders?  We could get this right, if left to our own directions.” – Lloyd Smith
     
• “Texas could be energy independent, income tax free, land tax free, and a free people again. Now, that is a dream for any man (human) that wishes to be FREE!” – Gene Klutts
   
• “I don’t think now is the time to abandon our fellow Americans. I do however believe we need a local government that will take charge of local problems. We do not have to listen to the Federal government and their stupid mandates.” – David Allen
   
• “Separation, but bring all the states that want to come.” – Mark Furber
   
• “If the left seizes complete control over the rest of the country, then yes, we should go our own way.  A number of states will follow our lead--we won't be alone.” – Thomas Bacon
     
• “I agree that it's easy to say yes to Texas secession.  But, the U.S. is still the greatest nation in the world. And it's the Red states like Texas that really make it and keep it so.” – Robert Lee
      
• “What we would be doing is trading one set of problems for the new ones that would surely arise. Not sure the new set would be any better.” – Rick Goncher

Your Federal & State Lawmakers

The districts displayed here should reflect those recently redrawn by the Legislature. Though the new lines do not take representational effect until 2023, they will appear on the 2022 ballot. Please note that your incumbent legislator and/or district numbers may have changed.